Colts Snap Counts Week 4 vs Dolphins

It is no secret that this Colts team has dealt with more than its fair share of injuries to start the 2021 season. No franchise wants to spend a considerable stretch of a season at less than full strength but injuries create opportunities for players further down the depth chart. We’ll monitor the players in Indianapolis who are getting a chance to step up.

OFFENSE

I’ll not soon get over the fact that Carson Wentz is starting football games right now. His injury three weeks ago had injured reserve written all over it. While he hasn’t been the offensive leader the Colts need him to be yet, you have to think that his willingness to play through pain carries some weight in the locker room.

C Wentz QB 71 100%

There is no doubt that the Colts’ offense must rely heavily on Jonathan Taylor to succeed. In fact, Frank Reich needs to find ways to get his backfield weapons onto the field more often. It is encouraging that Taylor was so productive even though he took only half of the offensive snaps. It was also encouraging to see Reich utilize Taylor and Hines on the field at the same time more in Miami.

J Taylor RB 36 51%
N Hines RB 22 31% 7 25%
M Mack RB 22 31%
J Wilkins RB 1 1% 12 43%

With Doyle playing through his own injury, Mo Alie-Cox earned a chance to play a more prominent offensive role. As has often been the case, when Alie-Cox is a more active part of the offensive game plan he finds a way to produce. There is little denying that his biggest asset is size and he used it on numerous occasions to make a difference against the Dolphins.

M Alie-Cox TE 49 69% 5 18%
K Granson TE 30 42%
J Doyle TE 21 30% 2 7%

Michael Pittman Jr. has stepped up as the clear top option in the Colts’ receivers' room. Zach Pascal is still a steady and reliable secondary or tertiary option and Parris Campbell is trying to play his way into a bigger role. Behind them, it’s anyone’s guess. The preseason hype for Mike Strachan appears to have subsided and roster-bubble and special teams player Ashton Dulin is now starting to see offensive targets.

M Pittman WR 61 86% 2 7%
Z Pascal WR 58 82% 4 14%
P Campbell WR 31 44%
A Dulin WR 12 17% 18 64%
M Strachan WR 5 7%

Chris Reed has played solid football in relief of Quenton Nelson. This has been a big reason the Colts stay confident in their rushing offense. With Eric Fisher joining him on the left side of the line, fans in Indianapolis may have some confidence in offensive line depth. When Nelson and right tackle Braden Smith return, this unit could return to form.

E Fisher T 71 100% 5 18%
M Glowinski G 71 100% 5 18%
C Reed G 71 100%
R Kelly C 68 96%
J Davenport T 41 58% 5 18%
M Pryor T 30 42% 5 18%
D Pinter G 10 14% 5 18%

DEFENSE

Matt Eberflus and Chris Ballard have envisioned a defensive line that would come at opponents in waves. Nine defensive linemen took defensive snaps on Sunday. Unfortunately, the waters have been pretty calm. Questions remain at defensive end as there isn’t a proven start on the roster. The closest thing to that is Al-Quadin Muhammad and that won’t keep offensive coordinators up super late preparing to play Indianapolis.

D Buckner DT 44 85% 10 36%
A Muhammad DE 43 83%
T Lewis DE 43 83%
G Stewart DT 26 50% 10 36%
K Turay DE 24 46%
T Stallworth DT 10 19% 4 14%
I Rochell DE 9 17% 11 39%
B Banogu DE 6 12% 3 11%
C Williams DT 3 6% 2 7%

There is nothing particularly surprising about the linebacker group. Leonard and Okereke will be the starts all season long if they stay healthy. Franklin appears to have control of the SAM spot whenever the Colts deploy it. Leonard needs to heal to look like the Maniac and Okereke needs to show signs of improvement.

B Okereke LB 52 100% 7 25%
D Leonard LB 52 100% 3 11%
Z Franklin LB 8 15% 21 75%

Perhaps no depth player has more consistently received opportunities to take on a bigger role than Isaiah Rodgers. He came into the league with breakaway speed and has been a weapon in the return game. He has also shown the ability to stick with speedy receivers on deep routes. Fans may not be inspired by starting talent but Rodgers’ development could help resolve depth concerns.

K Moore CB 52 100% 6 21%
X Rhodes CB 51 98%
I Rodgers CB 44 85% 9 32%
T Keyes CB 1 2% 11 39%

Andrew Sendejo is a name that few Colts fans may recognize. It may be surprising that he is 34 years old and that he has been in the NFL since 2010. In two games playing behind Khari Willis, Sendejo has found a way to make an impact. He finished the game with four tackles and a pass defended.

A Sendejo FS 52 100% 13 46%
J Blackmon FS 52 100% 8 29%

SPECIAL TEAMS

The biggest story early in the 2021 season is that kicker Rodrigo Blankenship appears to be more confident and to have a stronger leg than he did as a rookie. Good thing, as it seems like Indianapolis will lean on him a lot this season.

M Adams LB 21 75%
G Odum FS 20 71%
I Campbell FS 18 64%
E Speed LB 17 61%
R Sanchez P 16 57%
L Rhodes LS 12 43%
A Chesley CB 6 21%
R Blankenship K 5 18%